THTR 45A: TECHNICAL THEATRE IN PRODUCTION I
Foothill College Course Outline of Record
| Heading | Value |
|---|---|
| Effective Term: | Fall 2026 |
| Units: | 4 |
| Hours: | 1 lecture, 9 laboratory per week (120 total per quarter) Laboratory hours are scheduled on an individual basis in consultation with the instructor. Each student's lab hours (9 hours per week) will be scheduled based on the student's assigned crew position. |
| Advisory: | Students must meet with the instructor during the first week of the quarter to assign crew responsibilities and schedule work hours; this course is included in the Production-Technical family of activity courses; not open to students with credit in THTR 99A. |
| Degree & Credit Status: | Degree-Applicable Credit Course |
| Foothill GE: | Non-GE |
| Transferable: | CSU/UC |
| Grade Type: | Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass) |
| Repeatability: | Not Repeatable |
Student Learning Outcomes
- Respectfully collaborate with other members of the cast, crew, and creative team for a live theatrical performance
- Use basic skills in costuming, lighting, sound, scenery, props, makeup, front of house, or other areas of theatrical production to support a live theatrical performance
Description
Students will work as crew for a Theatre Arts Department production, leading to public performances. In consultation with faculty, students may choose to work in areas such as set construction, scenic art, properties, costume, makeup, wardrobe, lighting, projections, sound, front of house, running crew, or other production functions as required for the show. No experience is necessary to succeed in this course.
Course Objectives
The student will be able to:
- Correctly, consistently, punctually, and safely execute assigned responsibilities during build, rehearsals, performances, and strike for a theatrical production
- Understand the basic organization of crew for a theatrical production
- Understand the basic production schedule of a theatrical production
- Use correct, inclusive terminology to communicate about an aspect of theatrical production
Course Content
- Fundamentals of the structure of theatre production, including the division of responsibilities between technical departments and the basic responsibilities of crew positions
- Fundamentals of the theatrical production schedule, including distinguishing the design phase, build phase, load-in, technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, performances, and strike
- Fundamentals of respectful collaboration with directors, designers, cast, and crew
- Basic technical theatre terminology, highlighting current industry trends toward inclusive terminology
- Safe execution of production responsibilities during build, rehearsal, performance, and strike, encompassing both physical and emotional safety for oneself and others
- Historical inequities in theater production and contemporary advocacy towards a more equitable field
Lab Content
- Execute the work of a crew member in an area such as set construction, scenic art, properties, costume, makeup, wardrobe, lighting, projections, sound, front of house, running crew, or other production functions as required for the show during the build, rehearsal, performance, and/or strike of a Theatre Arts Department production
- Observe and/or participate in rehearsals and performances of a Theatre Arts Department production
Special Facilities and/or Equipment
1. Rehearsal space with an unobstructed, flat floor, approximately 30' x 40' for rehearsal
2. Fully-equipped theatre for performance; makeup studio and dressing room facilities
3. Fully-equipped scenic shop
2. Fully-equipped theatre for performance; makeup studio and dressing room facilities
3. Fully-equipped scenic shop
Method(s) of Evaluation
Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:
Faculty observation and ongoing performance evaluations
Evaluation of fulfillment of assigned production responsibilities
Self-evaluation of performance responsibilities and outcomes
Method(s) of Instruction
Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:
Lecture
Discussion
Cooperative learning exercises
Oral presentations
Laboratory
Demonstration
Representative Text(s) and Other Materials
Production scripts and instructor handouts.
Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments
- Read scripts for production preparation
- Read and assess background materials for production preparation and relevance
- Research materials and methods of implementing required production elements
Discipline(s)
Stagecraft or Theater Arts